Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the First Minister whether the report of the review of licensing laws will take into account the Scottish Executive's strategy for tackling binge drinking.

Mr Jack McConnell: Sheriff Principal Nicholson's Committee are reviewing the licensing laws. They will consider health and public issues, and I have no doubt they will take account of the Executive's Action Plan on Alcohol problems.

Audiology

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of qualified audiologists.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: To help inform local and national decisions on staff numbers for audiology services, the Executive has initiated a wide-ranging review of audiology services, which is due to report in full in autumn 2002. The review group is expected to provide an initial profile on staffing and skill-mix by the end of March 2002.

Blood Transfusion Service

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when Factor IX, as used in the blood transfusion service, was made safe.

Hugh Henry: The Factor IX product supplied by Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) for use by the NHS in Scotland after May 1985 was heat-treated to 80º for 72 hours, which protected against hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

  In October 1985 SNBTS formally recalled all non-heat-treated Factor IX product, which had been supplied prior to May 1985, when sufficient stocks of the heat treated product were available to meet expected demand in Scotland.

Debt Management

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-22872 by Iain Gray on 22 February 2002, whether there was any reduction in the amount to be made available in extra resources for debt and money advice before the announcement of £3 million for this purpose and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

Iain Gray: The decision to make £3 million available, to enhance money advice provision, was informed by an assessment of need. Following decision by Cabinet this was announced to Parliament by Scottish ministers on 19 December 2001. There has been no change in the amount available for this purpose since that date.

Debt Management

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding it makes available for debt, money and other advice services within core regeneration areas; how such funding is allocated; how many money and advice workers are employed with this money, and whether services supported by this funding will be financed beyond 31 March 2002 and, if so, from which budget.

Ms Margaret Curran: The Executive funds 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) across Scotland, to tackle existing social exclusion and prevent future exclusion in regeneration areas. SIPs use the funding allocated to them in pursuit of their own locally defined strategic objectives, one of which may be tackling financial exclusion through debt advice. Firm funding allocations for 2002-03 have been communicated to SIPs, along with indicative allocations for 2003-04.

  Support to local advice services is primarily provided by local authorities, SIPs and other non-statutory sources. From April 2002, the Executive will make an additional £3 million annually available, through local authorities, to enhance money advice provision across Scotland. This will not affect funding for SIPs.

Doctors

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of specialist thoracic surgeons in the NHS in Scotland and, if so, how many vacancies currently exist.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The latest available information from ISD Scotland, indicates that there were three consultant vacancies and no staff grade vacancies in the specialty of cardiothoracic surgery, at 30 September 2000.

  The number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed to meet known and anticipated turnover and local service developments. In March 2001 the specialist registrar establishment for cardiothoracic surgery was increased from 10 to 13.

Dundee Young Women's Centre

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent correspondence it has had from the Dundee Young Women's Centre.

Iain Gray: The Executive has recently received five letters from or on behalf of the Dundee Young Women's Centre.

Energy Efficiency

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote research and development in respect of energy efficient technologies like solar panels and photo-voltaic cells.

Ross Finnie: Research funding for renewable energy is a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive is committed to the promotion and development of renewable energy, covering a range of sizes and different technologies. This is currently done under the Scottish Clean Energy Demonstration Scheme, which has already funded a photo-voltaic project. We are currently considering other ways of supporting community renewable developments throughout Scotland.

Energy Efficiency

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to set energy efficiency targets for education institutions.

Nicol Stephen: We currently have no such plans.

Fisheries

Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to assist the Arbroath fish processing industry.

Ross Finnie: We have budgeted for more than £25 million in aid for fish processing and marketing under our 2000-06 FIFG programmes. In addition to this, some £18 million has been made available to processors throughout Scotland to assist capital investments in facilities and plant and equipment.

  One fish processor in Arbroath has so far applied for and been awarded £36,000 assistance and a further two applications requesting £14,000 assistance are presently under consideration.

Fisheries

Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the result of the recent consultation exercise on shellfish water designation.

Allan Wilson: As a result of the recent consultation exercise, an additional 75 areas of Scotland are to be designated under the Shellfish Waters Directive. These areas are in Argyll, Dumfries and Galloway, the Highlands and Islands, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, and take account of the views expressed in the consultation exercise.

  Seventy-five waters - stretching from Shetland to the Solway Firth - are to be designated for protection, and take account of the views expressed in the recent consultation exercise.

  These designations will be good for the industry and good for the wider environment and I am pleased to acknowledge the support of Scotland's shellfish industry in achieving the new designations.

  The new designations are:

  Boundaries of the Proposed Designations

  


Name


Location




Argyll and Bute




Camas Nathais


Area inshore of a line drawn between NM 863 375 (Rubha 
  Fion-àird) and NM 871 367 (Rubha Garbh-àird).




Colonsay


Area bounded by lines drawn between NR 340 907 and NR 340 
  897 and between NR 351 814 and NR 354 910 and between NR 
  360 903 and NR 360 896.




Dunstaffnage


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 874 342 and NM 874 
  350, between NM 874 350 and NM 880 350 and between NM 880 
  350 and NM 880 345.




Gometra


Area inshore of lines drawn between NM 349 410 and NM 340 
  410, between NM 340 410 and NM 340 400, and between NM 340 
  400 and NM 366 396 (Rubha Bhrisdeadh-ramh).




Inverneill, Loch Fyne



Area inshore of lines drawn between NR 850 801 and NR 870 
  800 and between NR 870 800 and NR 851 811.




Keills, Knapdale


Area bounded by lines drawn between NR 682 791 (Rubha na 
  Cille) and NR 670 820 and between NR 670 820 and NR 694 
  820.




Kerrera


Area inshore of a line drawn between NM 824 303 and NM 
  834 306 (Rubh'Ard an Duine) and extending to MLWS.




Lealt, Jura


Area bounded by lines drawn between NR 662 895 (Rubha Camas 
  nam Meanbh-chuileag) and NR 680 900 and Between NR 680 900 
  and NR 680 931.




Linne Mhuirich


Area inshore of a line drawn between NR 714 824 and NR 
  719 828.




Lismore


Area south of a line between NM 872 460 and NM 888 460.




Loch a'Chumhainn


Area inshore of a line drawn between NM 386 551 (Rubha 
  an Aird) and NM 408 571 (Quinish Point).




Loch Craignish
 


Area north east of a line drawn between NR 760 989 (Rubh' 
  an Lionaidh) and NR 783 970.




Loch Feochan


Area inshore of a line drawn between NM 852 236 and NM 
  852 234 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Gruinart


Area south of a line drawn between NR 292 730 and NR 304 
  730.




Loch Melfort


Area inshore of a line drawn between NM 800 132 and NM 
  800 107.




Loch Scridain


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 406 270 and NM 404 
  241 (Rubha Dubh) and between NM 520 297 and NM 520 267.




Loch Stornoway,
Knapdale


Area inshore of a line drawn between NR 731 603 (Rubha 
  na Lugain) and NR 719 608 (Rubha Cruitiridh).




Loch Striven


Area bounded by lines drawn between NS 050 828 and NS 055 
  828 and NS 079 720 and NS 095 720.




Lynn of Lorn


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 870 405 and NM 880 
  405 and between NM 870 405 and NM 870 389.




Shuna


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 767 098 (Rubha Salach) 
  and NM 786 093 (Eilean Creagach) and between NM 784 088 
  (Eilean Creagach) and NM 775 086.




Sound of Kerrera


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 840 290 and NM 832 
  290 and between NM 811 260 and NM 824 260.




Sound of Shuna


Area bounded by lines between NM 925 500 and NM 935 500 
  and between NM 919 485 and NM 923 485.




Tobermory


Area to the south-east of a line drawn between NM 516 552 
  and NM 518 555 (Rubh' an Righ).




Ulva


Area north of a line drawn between NM 401 385 and NM 407 
  380.




West Loch Tarbert 


Area bounded by lines drawn between NR 823 650 and NR 830 
  647 and between NR 837 670 and NR 844 670 and extending 
  to MLWN.




West Loch Tarbert


Area inshore of a line drawn between NR 790 600 and NR 
  764 584 and extending to MLWN.




West Loch Tarbert


Area inshore of lines drawn between NR 801 613 and NR 806 
  620 and between NR 806 620 and NR 814 622.




Dumfries and Galloway




Mull of Galloway


Area to west of line drawn between NX 153 357 (Cailiness) 
  and NX 160 306 (Lagvag) and extending to MLWS.




Highland




Ardtoe and Loch Ceann Traigh


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 591 720 (Rubha na 
  h-Acairseid) and NM 628 727 and between NM 630 703 and NM 
  630 699.




Black Islands, Kyle


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 758 280 and NG 740 
  280, between NG 740 280 and NG 740 340 and between NG 740 
  340 and NG 783 340.




Cuil Bay


Area north of a line drawn NM 962 555 (Rubha Mòr) 
  and NM 968 554 (Rubha Meadhonach)




Eddrachillis Bay


Area bounded by lines drawn between NC 099 347 (Cnoc a' 
  Mhoil Bhàn) and NC 113 342 and between NC 098 336 and 
  NC 098 337 and extending to MLWS.




Enard Bay


Area inshore of a line drawn between NC 060 186 and NC 
  065 180 and extending to MLWS.




Inner Loch Torridon


Area east of a line drawn between NG 806 566 and NG 811 
  560 and extending to MLWS.




Isle Ornsay


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 704 140 and NG 720 
  140 and between NG 720 140 and NG 720 110 and between NG 
  720 110 and NG 703 110.




Kyle of Tongue


Area bounded by lines drawn between NC 598 620 and NC 621 
  620 and between NC 572 590 and NC 593 590.




Kylerhea


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 800 238 and NG 807 
  237 and between NG 790 210 and NG 796 210.




Little Loch Broom


Area inshore of a line drawn between NG 984 982 and NG 
  973 962 (Stattic Point) and extending inshore to MLWS.




Loch Ainort 


Area inshore of a line between NG 565 300 and NG 575 290).




Loch Caroy


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 296 416 (Crossnish 
  Point) and NG 305 416 and between NG 300 430 and NG 305 
  430 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Dunvegan


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 185 548 and NG 200 
  550 and between NG 200 550 and NG 198 528.




Loch Dunvegan


Area inside a line drawn between NG 215 490 and NG 235 
  490 (Uiginish Point).




Loch Eishort


Area east of a line drawn between NG 640 157 and NG 640 
  151 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Ewe


Area south of a line drawn between NG 817 920 and NG 840 
  920 and extending inshore to MLWS.




Loch Glendhu


An area bounded by lines drawn between NC 240 343 and NC 
  240 340 and between NC 240 339 and NC 246 339.




Loch Harport


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 332 370 (Bracadale 
  Point) and NG 335 364 (Ardtreck Point) and between NG 344 
  374 (Rubha na h-Uamha) and NG 352 364 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Hourn


Area inshore of lines drawn between NG 715 044 and NG 715 
  070 and between NG 715 070 and NG 768 140 (Rubha Mòr).




Loch Inchard


Area inshore of a line drawn between NC 230 552 and NC 
  233 556 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Leven


Area bounded by lines drawn between NN 052 596 and NN 052 
  598 (Ballachulish Bridge) and between NN 175 618 and NN 
  175 621 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Moidart, North Channel


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 634 756 (Rubh' Aird 
  an Fheidh) and NM 641 756 (Rubha nan Clach Dearga) and between 
  NM 662 742 and NM 662 746.




Loch Moidart, South Channel


Area bounded by lines between NM 627 727 (Farquhar's Point) 
  and NM 628 734 and between NM 656 727 and NM 657 717.




Loch Nevis


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 770 965 and NM 770 
  934 and between NM 840 952 and NM 840 942.




Loch Sligachan


Area bounded by lines drawn between NG 537 351 and NG 550 
  322 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Sunart


Area bounded by lines drawn between NM 703 636 (Rubha Aird 
  Beithe) and NM 707 629 (Rubha Aird Earnaich) and NM 730 
  612 and NM 734 626.




North Ayrshire




Fairlie


Area bounded by lines drawn between NS 208 550 and NS 197 
  544 and between NS 206 547 and NS 204 544.




Orkney




Bay of Ireland


Area inshore of a line drawn between HY 275 090 (Bu Point) 
  and 280 080, between HY 280 080 and HY 280 070 and between 
  HY 280 070 and HY 290 071.




Deer Sound


Area inshore of line drawn between HU 547 087 and HU 555 
  080 and extending inshore to MLWS.




Inganess Bay


Area inside of line drawn between HY 490 123 (Head of Holland) 
  and HY 510 113 (Yinstay Head).




Sandside Bay


Area inshore of a line drawn between HY 588 064 and HY 
  594 070 and extending to MLWS.




St Catherine's Bay, Stronsay


Area inshore of a line drawn from HY 615 295 (Sty Taing) 
  and HY 620 284 (North Taing, Linga Holm) and between HY 
  621 270 (South Taing) and HY 620 251 (North Taing, Stronsay) 
  and extending inshore to MLWS.




Shetland




Busta Voe and Linga Voe


Area north of a line drawn between HU 335 632 (Pobies Geo) 
  and HU 368 632 and extending to MLWS.




Cat Firth


Area north of a line drawn between HU 441 530 and HU 445 
  530.




Colla Firth


Area south of a line drawn between HU 444 700 and HU 451 
  700 and extending to MLWS.




Gruting Voe


Area north of line drawn between HU 256 474 (Heock Ness) 
  and HU 261 471 extending to MLWS but excluding Olas Voe.




Ronas Voe


Area to east of a line drawn between HU 310 811 and HU 
  320 806 and extending to MLWN.




Ura Firth


Area inshore of line drawn between HU 292 777 and HU 294 
  763 (Fissla Taing) and extending to MLWS.




Voe of Clousta


Area bounded by line drawn between HU 305 600 and HU 306 
  600 and between HU 290 588 (Green Point) and HU 290 582.




Wadbister Voe


Area inshore of a line drawn between HU 442 510 and HU 
  447 504 and extending to MLWS.




Whale Firth


Area south of a line drawn between HU 464 960 and HU 468 
  960.




Yell, Basta Voe


Area north of a line drawn between HU 515 975 and HU 518 
  978 and extending to MLWS.




Western Isles




Loch Eynort


Area bounded by lines drawn between NF 792 283 and NF 793 
  280, and between NF 803 272 (Rubha Lailum) and NF 805 274 
  and extending to MLWS.




Loch Grimshader


Area bounded by lines drawn between NB 414 256 and NB 414 
  257 and between NB 424 256 and NB 424 259 (Rubha Alltan 
  Pheadair) and extending to MLWS.




Loch Leurbost


Area bounded by lines drawn between NB 370 255 and NB 370 
  251 and between NB 380 247 and NB 380 241 and extending 
  to MLWS.




Loch Leurbost


Area bounded by lines drawn between NB 391 241 and NB 393 
  243 (Aird Feiltanish) and between NB 394 236 and NB 400 
  242 and extending to MLWS.




Loch Roag


Area bounded by lines drawn between NB 096 340 and NB 095 
  338, between NB 118 344 (Rubh' a'Scarp) and NB 144 345 (Leac 
  na Cudaigean), between NB 180 335 and NB 180 343, and between 
  NB 127 300 and NB 128 300. This replaces the Loch Roag designations 
  in the Surface Waters (Shellfish)(Classification)(Scotland) 
  Direction 1998.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce how the £2 million which is still available for agricultural recovery following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak will be spent.

Ross Finnie: As I announced recently at the AGM of NFU Scotland, we are committed to using the £2 million to assist the livestock sector. We are exploring how this money might be used to best effect and will take account of any views expressed by the industry.

Funding Awards

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to continue funding of successful projects at the end of their funding periods from (a) the New Futures Fund, (b) the New Opportunities Fund, (c) other National Lottery funds and (d) the Scottish University for Industry.

Ms Wendy Alexander: SUfI administers the Capital Modernisation Fund support for learning centre development on behalf of the Executive. Funding for the scheme, which closed to new applicants in October, ends on 31 March 2002. The Executive does not plan any further funding thereafter. SUfI does not own or operate the learning centres it has branded, but took a view on sustainability of the centres before they were granted learndirect scotland branded status.

  I have asked the funding distributors, concerned with the administration of the other funds, to write to you directly.

Further and Higher Education

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it gives to further and higher education institutions in regard to investment on the money market.

Ms Wendy Alexander: None. The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils allocate public funds to further and higher education institutions, on the condition that they are used for the purposes for which they are granted.

Health

Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken as part of its child health strategy to tackle respiratory conditions amongst children.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Our Child Health Support Group Template for Child Health Services provides a framework for Unified NHS Boards and Trusts to plan, commission and monitor services for children, and defines the essential components of a local child health service. This includes reference to respiratory medicine and provision of specialist nursing services. A number of clinical guidelines have also been produced by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) on the management of asthma. These include guidance on Hospital In-patient Management of Acute Asthma Attacks, Primary Care Management of Asthma and Self Management Plans .

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice or guidance it has given, or plans to give, to NHS boards on the provision of services for patients who have multiple chemical sensitivities.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has not issued any guidance specific to multiple chemical sensitivity, and has no plans to do so. General guidance on immunology and allergy services in Scotland was issued in September 2000, in the form of a report by the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee. The report set out the provision at that time of services in Scotland for the diagnosis and management of patients with immunological and allergic disorders and made a number of recommendations for their improvement.

Health

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make provision for affordable access to alternative clothing and furniture to those who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivities.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has no plans to make such provision.

Health

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20723 by Malcolm Chisholm on 3 January 2002, whether The Right Medicine - A Strategy for Pharmaceutical Care in Scotland will assist compliance in the NHS with the requirements of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Right Medicine: A Strategy for Pharmaceutical Care in Scotland commits the Scottish Executive to exploring systems to allow, whenever possible, the dispensing of patient packs in all situations across primary, secondary and tertiary care. This will assist compliance in the NHS with the requirements of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, etc.) Regulations 1994.

Health

Janis Hughes (Glasgow Rutherglen) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20723 by Malcolm Chisholm on 3 January 2002, what discussions it has had with the Medicines Control Agency regarding any non-compliance in the NHS with the requirements of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with the Medicines Control Agency regarding any non-compliance in the NHS with the requirements of the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations, etc.) Regulations 1994.

Homelessness

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that adequate resources are in place to provide suitable support and counselling services to prevent recurrent homelessness of people who have been re-housed.

Iain Gray: I have made available an additional £11 million in the next two years to begin delivery of the recommendations of the Homelessness Task Force. Local authorities and others will also be expected to deploy existing resources more efficiently and effectively. In addition, resources available through Supporting People will fund a range of housing support services for people at risk of homelessness. The case for further resources will be considered as part of the forthcoming spending review.

Hospitals

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contracts or the tender documents for the contracts in respect of the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh relating to the cafeteria facilities for staff, patients and visitors include or included provisions regarding cost and nutrition and, if so, whether it will provide details of these.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Project Agreement covers the provision of catering facilities for staff, patients and visitors within the main restaurant in the hospital (and the food court which will be provided in Phase II of the development). All aspects of the catering service are covered by an Assured Safe Catering programme and the food service will provide Recommended Nutritional Intake for all nutrients and Estimated Average Requirements for food energy for the patient groups it is planned to serve. All menus provide an identified healthy choice, which complies with national and local food policies. The catering service also reflects the dietetic needs and preferences of cultural and minority groups.

  The charges made within the main restaurant are in line with the current charges at the old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Any increases in restaurant charges will be made in consultation with the trust to ensure consistency of prices across the wider trust. The lease issued by Consort Healthcare (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) Ltd to the operator of the food court ensures that the operator will not charge any more than High Street prices.

Housing

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made to ensure that Glasgow's local authority tenants are empowered to run housing services in their communities should there be a yes vote in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot.

Iain Gray: If tenants vote "yes" in the Glasgow housing stock transfer ballot, local Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) tenants will be in control through their Local Housing Organisations (LHO) and will have a real say in all decisions affecting housing matters in their area. The committees of each LHO will comprise a majority of GHA tenants and will be responsible for the day to day management of their area's housing stock and delivering housing services on the ground.

Joint Ministerial Committee

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what was discussed at the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting on 7 March 2002 and what the outcomes were.

Mr Jim Wallace: The meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee on the European Union on 7 March considered preparations for the Barcelona European Council and arrangements for the European Convention which will discuss the Future of Europe.

  The meeting provided a further opportunity to feed a Scottish devolved perspective into the UK's objectives and priorities for the Barcelona Council. The meeting also agreed a set of mechanisms to ensure the full involvement of the devolved administrations in the development of the UK's position as the convention moves forward.

Lifelong Learning

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting the target of creating a network of learning centres around the country.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Scottish University for Industry Ltd was charged by the Executive to develop a national network of 300 learndirect scotland branded learning centres by 31 March 2002. It has achieved its target a month ahead of schedule and there are now 301 branded learning centres located across the length and breadth of Scotland.

Livestock

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what its proposals are for future shipments of livestock to and from the Northern Isles.

Lewis Macdonald: Livestock shipping in the Northern Isles is a commercial matter for ferry operators, subsidised by the Executive through the Tariff Rebate Subsidy (TRS) scheme. The new operator, NorthLink, plans to carry livestock in cassettes on their freight vessel. We are currently considering how the TRS scheme might apply to this new system. We are also considering possible contingency arrangements in case sufficient cassettes, for whatever reason, are not ready in time for this year's peak carrying season. Officials are seeking to keep the livestock industry informed of developments.

Local Government

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what training arrangements it expects local authorities to make in order to ensure that all local authority employees dealing in the money markets on behalf of their authorities are suitably qualified.

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what supervisory arrangements it expects local authorities to implement in order that local authority employees dealing in the money markets on behalf of their authorities are adequately monitored at all times.

Peter Peacock: These are matters for local authorities, although we would expect them to have regard to the revised CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management in the Public Sector.

Local Government

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what professional advice it expects local authorities to seek on an on-going basis with regard to risk and performance when placing monies on the money markets.

Peter Peacock: This is a matter for local authorities, although we expect them to have regard to the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services (2001) and professional advice where it is an issue.

Meat Industry

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to tighten the checks on the illegal importation of meat at ports and airports.

Ross Finnie: The Executive is working closely with the UK Government and enforcement agencies, to produce a comprehensive action plan to help deter and detect illegal imports. Already, action has been taken to publicise UK import rules overseas, and more effective posters are now on display at our ports and airports to underline the need for increased vigilance. Efforts have also been stepped up to improve detection and prosecution of deliberate attempts to bring illegal imports into the country. There is a greater emphasis on sharing intelligence and increased powers for local authorities to search and seize meat etc. at the point of sale where such products could not have been imported legally. The Veterinary Laboratory Agency has been asked to carry out a detailed risk assessment, so that effort and resources can be targeted to areas which are thought to represent the greatest risk.

Music Tuition

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to encourage local authorities to fund pipe band tuition in schools.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Executive works closely with local authorities and the Scottish Arts Council to promote all aspects of music tuition in schools. We are in the final stages of planning a pilot programme of cultural co-ordinators to maximise the potential contribution of culture to children's education and will make an announcement shortly. The Scottish Arts Council has also been allocated £1.5 million over this and the next two years to promote excellence in the traditional arts, and last year the Traditional Scottish Music School at Plockton was opened by Mr Jack McConnell with £535,000 from the Excellence Fund.

Music Tuition

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities currently provide pipe band tuition on (a) a part-time and (b) a full-time basis.

Dr Elaine Murray: Schools can make provision for instrumental tuition in a range of instruments, and musical styles, in line with the resources available to them and local need. They are free to decide which instruments they support within their school, and can opt to make provision for pipe tuition. The Scottish Executive does not hold centrally information on the range of instruments for which local authorities provide instrumental tuition.

NHS Waiting Times

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current waiting time for the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh is now two years and six months; whether there are over 100 patients waiting to be seen at the centre for a first out-patient appointment, and whether it has concerns over these figures given that a substantial number of roads accidents may be directly related to sleep apnoea.

Malcolm Chisholm: Waiting times for all services, including sleep apnoea, depend on clinical priority. The highest priority of patients referred to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh, have their initial appointment within four to six weeks, while routine cases may at present wait 10 months for their initial assessment.

  There are 1,042 people on the waiting list for a first appointment at the Sleep Centre. The Scottish Executive is concerned about long waiting times and is determined that the NHS should reduce them.

Oil and Gas Industry

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions ministers have attended meetings of the PILOT oil and gas industry task force and which ministers attended.

Lewis Macdonald: The minutes and attendance records for all PILOT meetings are available on the PILOT website at: http://www.pilottaskforce.co.uk .

Planning

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the finalised Structure Plan submitted by Scottish Borders Council in May 2001 has been agreed.

Ms Margaret Curran: The finalised Scottish Borders Structure Plan is still under consideration by the Scottish ministers. However, an announcement on the plan will be made soon.

Prison Service

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the contractual status of HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Mr Jim Wallace: No. Scottish Prison Service see no need to do so as the contract is working well.

Schools

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory protection there is for the preservation of school playing fields.

Nicol Stephen: Under the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967, there is a requirement for every school to have available to it playing fields of an area related to the school roll.

  Town and country planning legislation provides certain safeguards in relation to proposals to develop playing fields, including school playing fields. National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space sets out the planning policy framework that planning authorities should have regard to when considering proposals for the redevelopment of playing fields. Sportscotland must also be consulted on all planning applications and developments likely to prejudice or lead to the loss of playing fields. Planning authorities are required to notify the Scottish ministers where they are minded to grant planning permission for any proposal which would involve the loss of a playing field where sportscotland have advised against the proposal.

Sex Offenders

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many sex offenders under the age of 16 have been treated outwith Scotland in each of the past five years and at what cost.

Cathy Jamieson: Scottish ministers do not have the power to place convicted sex offenders outwith Scotland whilst they are serving their sentence. Local authorities have the power to place outwith Scotland young people who have sexually offended or are displaying sexually aggressive behaviour, if that is necessary. Information on how many young people this has involved, is not held centrally.

Sex Offenders

Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the information which is provided to courts in cases involving sex offending.

Mr Jim Wallace: Following consultation on the report from the Expert Panel on Sex Offending entitled Reducing the Risk: Improving the response to sex offending , I am pleased to announce our decision to accept the four recommendations which will improve the information provided to courts. These aim to ensure that the court's decisions in relation to sex offenders are founded on the best available information; that report writers have adequate time to prepare reports, and that they have objective information about the nature of the offence on which to found their assessment of risk. Provision for these recommendations will be included in a Criminal Justice Bill to be introduced shortly. We will be announcing our response to the other recommendations and publishing a full analysis of the consultation exercise in the next few weeks.

Social Inclusion Partnerships

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to establish a rural version of the Social Inclusion Partnerships initiative and what the reason is for its position on this matter.

Ms Margaret Curran: The network of 48 Social Inclusion Partnership's which has been established across Scotland includes both urban and rural areas. Rural areas such as Moray are being supported as well as traditional urban areas, such as Glasgow.

Waste Management

Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to support local authorities to help with the cost of disposing of old fridges and freezers.

Ross Finnie: I announced a package of additional grant assistance for local authorities on 7 March, in response to question S1W-23475 on 7 March 2002.

Water Industry

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost is per capita in the current financial year of providing (a) water supply and (b) sewerage services to residents of (i) Greater Glasgow, (ii) Edinburgh, (iii) Perth, (iv) Aberdeen, (v) Inverness, (vi) the Western Isles and (vii) Orkney and Shetland.

Ross Finnie: The information requested is not available in the form requested. Scottish Water will develop and introduce monitoring information systems, to provide this type of information over the next few years.

Water Safety

Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executivewhat action it is taking to reduce instances of cryptosporidiosis.

Malcolm Chisholm: Cryptosporidiosis can be passed on by person to person contact, direct contact with animals, or in water, if treatment is inadequate or compromised.

  In addition to the issue of general advice on hygiene matters, the Executive issued the Cryptosporidium Direction to Scottish water authorities in February 2000. The Direction requires water authorities to implement the recommendations of the UK Group of Experts on Cryptosporidium in Water, which include monitoring for the presence of the parasite in water.